Nektar - 2009 - Fortyfied

(134:00; Cherry Red Records [2025 Edition] )






















As with many bands who have been around a long time, Nektar have had quite a chequered line-up and history, with all founder members leaving the band at one time or another, and there were a few periods when they were totally disbanded, including from 1982 - 2000. It was then that Roye Albrighton and Taff Freeman came back together, this time as a trio with new drummer Ray Hardwick. There were another six line-up changes by the time they got to 2007, by which time Roye had been rejoined by original drummer Ron Howden, and they were now augmented by Klaus Henatsch (keyboards, backing vocals) and Peter Pichl (bass). They stayed together for four years, a lengthy period of continuity for Nektar, during which time they toured frequently. ‘Fortyfied’ was captured on the 2008 European tour and released in 2009 on Albrighton’s own Treacle Music label and has long since been unavailable and has now been remastered and is available once again. Unlike other recent Nektar reissues there are no additional tracks, just 134 minutes of original live recordings.

Nektar were touring the most recent album, 2008’s ‘Book of Days’, but between its recording and the tour the line-up had changed dramatically, so neither Henatsch or Pichl had been involved. The setlist goes all the way back to the 1971 debut, while it kicks off with the amazing “Tab In The Ocean”, but while there is no doubt that musically they are trying their best to recreate the old days the vocals are not quite there, with the harmonies on “King of Twilight” suffering quite badly. While the newer material is not quite up to the same quality of the music from the Seventies it is good to see the band forging ahead and promoting new material and not becoming just another parody covers band like so many others. They definitely sound like they are from a bygone era, especially with the Hammond, and if someone said they were coming across at times like classic Uriah Heep I would find it difficult to argue with them.

While not as essential as many of their releases, this line-up was a strong working group, with Howden and Henatsch playing together until after the passing of Albrighton, with Howden then forming a new version of Nektar based in the States, and Henatsch in New Nektar, based in Germany. Essential for all Nektar fans, possibly not so much for newbies. 

Kev Rowland, February 2026

Links:
https://nektarsmusic.com/
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/

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